Rail-spike.



ADoipPHUs G. ADAIR, or SEATTLE, WAsHING'roN.

BAIL-SPIKE.

nesso.

Application led March 4, 1915.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, ADoLPHUs Gr. AnAnz, a

` citizen f the United states of America, and

-ing member.

in perspective, the position of the two members being that occupied when the spreada resident of the city of Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-Spikes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to rail spikes and comprises novel constructions by which the spike may be securely locked in place and prevented from being pulled by the action of the rail thereon.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown the spike in the form of construction which is now most preferred by me.

- Figure 1 shows the main spike in perspective. Fig. 2 is a perspective of the lock- Fig. 3 shows both members ing action begins upon the locking member. Fig. 4 is a section taken transversely of the tie showing thespike in its final or locked position.

The main holding member consists of a spike 1, which is, in the main, of the type of construction of the common, universally used spike. The head projects laterally f' mainly at one side, this being the side which is placed toward the edge of the rail base,

the head overlapping the rail base and holding rail down. At the opposite side of the spike the lateral projection of the head is missing, the side surface 11 of the spike, extending to the upper surface of the head. Near the lower end of the spike upon this side, is a projection 12, which has'upwardly facing surfaces 13, which extend downwardly and laterally to form wedge-shaped surfaces which are designed to engage and spread the forked tip of the locking member.

The locking member which is shown in perspective in Fig. 2, consists of a-body 2 which is in the form of a thin plate, preferably of a width equal to'that of the spike,

and slightly tapering in thickness from top to bottom, to form a slightly wedge-shaped member. This locking member has its lower or pointed end centrally split longitudinally,

thereby forming two fingers 21.

The fingers 2l are tapered at their lower end to separate their tips, thus'insuring that the tips will engage op Specification of Letters Patent.

site surfaces 13 to be spread. The outer e ges of the fingers 21 Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

serial No. 12,172.

tapered edgesto form'a point. "These points are both well within the side margin of the main spike body.

In using my spike, the main body 1 isfirst driven home in the usual manner. The projection 12 upon the back side of the spike opens up the wood along this side. The locking member 2 is then driven against the back side of the spike, in the opening made by proj ction 12. The wedge shape of member 2 holds it firmly against the spike. The taper of the outer edge of the locking member bears upon the wood, and this serves to guide this member 2, and to keep the plate straight and true. The points do not come into contact with the -wood until they start to spread by reason of contact with the inclined surfaces 13. There is no possibility of the points spreading through contact with a knot. When the tips strike the inclined surfaces 13, they begin to spread. Further driving forces the tips into the wood at the side of the spike.' They then assume a position similar to that shown in -necessary to drive this entirely down, but

only suilicient to insure lateral penetration of points 21 into the tie. The splitting of the lower, end of the locking bar 2, is carried upward a' suicient distance, as is indicated at 22, so that further driving thereof is possible. If therefore, the spike becomes somewhat loosened and it is desired to tighten it, the locking spike 2 may be further driven,

' thus tightening the spike.

For convenience for withdrawing locking spike 2, I have shown this as provided with a slight head 20, by which it may be withdrawn. In withdrawing this locking spike, the tips 21 which have been spread by the previousA driving, will be drawn together. These may then be straightened or placed in the position shown in Fig. 2 by hammering.

-I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America,

A. rail spike having a head projecting laterally to overlap the edgeof the rail base, and at the opposite side being Hush with the side of the stem, the latter side of the stem having a side projection near its point, and a locking member consisting of a, thin, Hat

' spike adapted to fit against and to be driveny with the side projection of the main spike to of said spllts tapered from the center and the along the side of the main spike which is be thereby driven laterally into the tie. 10 away from the rail, the end of said locking Signed at Seattle, Washington this 24th spike being split lengthwise and with the tips day of February 1915.

ADOLPHU'S G. ADAIR. outer margins to form points well inside of Witnesses: e the outer margins of the spike, said tips be- HENRY L. REYNOLDS, ing `adapted to be spread by engagement E. C. EQLIN. 

